Esthetic and Occlusal Considerations for Rehabilitation of Severely Worn Dentition: A Case Report

Introduction: Tooth wear is a common condition affecting patients who often require advice and treatment from dentists. It is well known that the cause of tooth wear is multifactorial, making clinical diagnosis difficult. A thorough patient history is essential to help aid understanding of the causative factors. In the previous study, attrition was found to be the predominant pathological cause of tooth wear. Case description: This study describes a case of severely worn dentition in a 45 year old male who came to the dental clinic complaining of tooth discoloration and changing in their appearance. The patient’s chief complaint was difficulty in chewing and appearance problems. The patient had a history of endodontic, restorative, and prosthodontic treatment. The patient had competent lips, no asymmetry, and no signs or symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder were detected. Initial evaluation of the patient revealed parafunctional habits of bruxism and clenching. Clinical examination revealed severe attrition of the anterior and posterior teeth. Well defined facets matching those on the opposing teeth in eccentric occlusion were also detected. The severe tooth wear was attributed to parafunctional habits. The patient had an unacceptable oral hygiene and there were generalized gingival marginal inflammation. Dental esthetics and occlusal function were restored by restoring, aligning, and replacing missing tooth structures, teeth, and/or supporting tissues. The structural stability was established by optimizing the force distribution. The functional harmony was established to improve mastication, deglutition, phonetics, and esthetics. Conclusion: This case report supports esthetic and occlusal considerations for rehabilitation of severely worn dentition in adult males.

Author(s):   Reema Sharaf

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share This Article